As the take-off delay on a September 2 KLM flight from Shanghai to Amsterdam grew to an hour, members of the Amsterdam Sinfonietta string orchestra traveling on the Boeing 747-400 decided they could do something to make the time pass more quickly for everyone on board.

JDB Fine Hotels & Resorts’ ‘SmartStart: One Night Free’ offer provides an additional night free for clients pre-paying for two or three nights at more than 60 participating hotels in Italy, Spain, Ireland, France and Mexico.

The 10 Australian vacation packages start from $1,399 per person including airfare and accommodation (based on double occupancy). The sale ends September 30 and the package offers are good for travel between October 11 to November 23 and from January 30, 2011 to March 22, 2011, with the option to travel until March 31, 2011.